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Re #9

China has been airing her displeasure in various channels. No. 3 man in Chinese embassy in Seoul complained about N. Korea at length. Chinese have been talking to U.S. media(NYT, etc) about their frustration. China has been softening its stance on N. Korean refugees. China came down hard on Yang Bin, the head of Shinuiju Free Economic Zone(?), humiliating N. Korea. China reportedly studied invasion of N. Korea early this year. China also cut off oil pipeline to N. Korea for three days as a warning.

They are not doing this for altruistic reason, for sure. However, it is in their interest to rein on a N. Korean regime.

As I recall, in March (while North Korea was huffing and puffing), both Japan and Taiwan stated they would consider going nuclear if North Korea was alowed to. China didn't like the idea and started putting pressure on Kim and co.
Whatever the case, this has some blowback on the PRC but there isn't much of a question that the PRC significantly helped bring this situation about. The PRC is currently attempting to gain global stature via the ongoing situation (see: High stakes and big payoff for Beijing).
Some additional articles:
The Six Party Talks: Same Bed, Different Dreams
China tries on the new clothes of the global referee
No separate formal talks with N. Korea: US
Spat over abductions (North Korea-Japan)
USCC: China’s Proliferation Practices and the Challenge of North Korea
US slaps sanctions on Chinese company over alleged missile proliferation
U.S. seeks action by Beijing on proliferation
More articles can be found on ChiCom Watch but I don't have time to post them all. I'm sure FR also has a plethora of posted articles regarding the Nutty Korea talks etc.